Modern social geography brings together multiple orientations and research methods focused on the relationships between territorial and social dynamics. Social geography questions how society interacts with space, how society perceives space and attributes symbolic values to it, and therefore relates to it by assuming certain behaviours or making certain choices of territorial organization.
The course aims to provide an overview of the main geographical schools and the main themes and problems for the interpretation and analysis of socio-territorial dynamics.
The course aims both to provide the main theoretical references and foundations of social geography and to illustrate some case studies for a reading of social and economic phenomena on the territory. In particular, the course focuses on the relationship between society and space, the latter understood as a social product. Students will be able to acquire adequate knowledge and an effective ability to understand the perspectives and tools for the analysis of space as a social product; they will also be able to apply the acquired knowledge and understand issues related to the interrelationships between territorial dynamics and social dynamics.
Synchronous lessons on TEAMS platform created ad hoc for teaching with projection of slides and with analysis and discussion of case studies, graphs, diagrams, tables, thematic maps. Students will be invited to carry out a brief in-depth study of a topic (through the elaboration of powerpoints or the reading of scientific articles also in English agreed with the teacher). Material uploaded on AULAWEB and also in the "file" window of the TEAMS platform
Different conceptions of space (absolute space, relative space, space as a social product) will be presented to guide the research and its implications; the evolution of social geography studies will be studied in depth and specific themes of modern social geography will be examined. The course will address geo-social issues with specific reference to the environment, the evolution of social structures, urban spaces, socio-spatial inequalities. The topics and problems related to: sustainable development; demographic and mobility phenomena, rights and empowerment, equal opportunities read also through geo-social indicators, geo-cartographic tools and ICT will be examined in depth.
For attending students: - Slides presented in class and uploaded both on TEAMS platform and Aulaweb portal. In addition, during the lessons, the following scientific articles will be commented and critically analyzed:
For students not attending:
Critical reading and report/written report of a text of your choice from the following :
Ricevimento: Reception From September 13, 2021 to the end of February 2022: Wednesdays from 2.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. - Floor 2 Corpo A - Direction Corso A. Podestà 2 - Genova (until 30 October 2021) From 1 March 2021 by appointment only Only for students of POLO di Imperia: From March 7, 2022 to May 10, 2022: Mondays 4-5pm - Polo Universitario Imperia For Savona Campus students only: From March 9 to April 20, 2022: Wednesday before or after class - Savona Campus. For any problem concerning the didactics it is possible to communicate with the teacher by email: varani@unige.it or by calling 010 20953604; or by calling 01020953500. For additional information, students are kindly requested to contact the professor in time to define bibliographical integrations or alternative programs. From 13 September 2021 to end February 2021 : Wednesday from 14.30 to 15.30 - Plan 2 Body A - Direction Corso A. Podestá 2 - Genoa. Only for students of the POLO of Imperia: From 7 March 2021 to 10 May 2021 : Monday at 16-17 - Polo Universitario Imperia Only for students of CAMPUS Savona: From March 10 to May 12, 2020: Wednesday at 12.00 - 13.00 - Campus of Savona. For any problem concerning the teaching you can still communicate with the teacher by email: varani@unige.it or by calling the number 010 20953604; or by calling the number 01020953500. For additional information, students are requested to contact the teacher in good time to define bibliographic additions or alternative programs.
NICOLETTA VARANI (President)
GIACOMO ZANOLIN
KRISTINA MAMAYUSUPOVA (Substitute)
START OF LESSONS LAST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER indicatively on 25 September 2020
Oral
(if the provisions on social distancing are not so restrictive, a written test reserved for students attending synchronous streaming lessons can be agreed upon)
Oral examinations are conducted on the knowledge of the main phases of the epistemological debate with particular reference to the problems and methods of social geography; also on the basis of comments on images, graphs, tables, diagrams, thematic maps and case studies examined in class or present on the study texts. The examination in oral form will be evaluated on the basis: a) Knowledge of the topics covered in the course (65%) b) Quality of oral exposure/ability to present arguments and critical approach to the discipline (25%) c) Mastery of specific vocabulary (10%)
